The atrocities being inflicted on the populations of several countries in the Middle East and North Africa continue to mount. The growth of terrorism seems on the rise and Islamic terrorist groups, principally ISIS and Al Qaeda, continue to justify their brutal and barbaric actions by appeal to the Q’ran and to Islamic law. With no prejudice toward the peaceful Muslim communities on Long Island and around the world, we all, Christian, Muslim and all men and women of good will, must be one in condemning these atrocities and standing as one in defense of religious minorities throughout the world and especially in the countries of Middle East and North Africa.

The Pope offers Mass in the Sanctae Marthae Chapel to the Copts killed in Libya

Vatican City, 17 February 2015 (VIS) – Pope Francis offered this morning's Mass in the Chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the 21 Egyptian Copts murdered yesterday in Libya, whose funerals will be held today.

“Let us offer this Mass for our 21 brother Copts, beheaded for the simple fact of being Christians. Let us pray for them, so that the Lord may welcome them as martyrs, for their families, and for my brother Tawadros, who suffers deeply”.

He went on to pronounce the antiphon from Psalm 31: “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me”.

Yesterday afternoon the Holy Father telephoned the Patriarch, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, to express his participation in the profound sorrow of the Orthodox Coptic Church for the recent barbaric massacre of Egyptian Copts at the hands of Islamic fundamentalists. He assured him of his prayers and today, the day of the victims' funerals, joined spiritually in the prayers and the suffering of the Coptic Church, in the morning Eucharistic celebration.